Ray Lewis speaks out against violence in Baltimore: 'No way this can happen in our city'

Former Baltimore Ravens star Ray Lewis made a powerful plea against rioters in a video on his Facebook page on Tuesday. (AP)

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Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Violent riots in Baltimore continue to shake the country on Tuesday in the wake of Freddie Gray's funeral. Now, one of the city's most famous residents is making an emotional demand for rioters to stop.

Ray Lewis, former Super Bowl winning linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, posted an emotional video to Facebook on Tuesday, condemning the rioters in Baltimore.

"No way, no way, no way this can happen in our city," Lewis says in the video. "Young kids, you gotta understand something. Get off the street, violence is not the answer, violence has never been the answer. Freddie Gray, we don't do nothing for him doing this."

Lewis then began to speak about his desire to rebuild Baltimore.

"We got to go back to the beginning. It takes a village, it takes a whole village to raise one child. We got to redefine what this looks like. We got to redefine what building Baltimore looks like. Cause too many people put in real sweat, real tears, to make our city a better place."

Many commenters wrote messages of praise for Lewis' video and its message.

"I wish I could get Ray Lewis to follow me around all day and get me hyped about everything. This is amazing. Great message," wrote one Facebook user.

"You're the hero that city needs Ray. You always have been and always will be," wrote another.

However, several others criticized Lewis for his video.

"And where was this message when white folks rioted after y'all won the Super Bowl?" one commenter wrote.

"Get out your mansion and go do something," wrote another.

"As he sits in his mansion and delivers a oscar winning performance. If you want your voice to be heard you need to be in the middle of it. Sitting home in a "Lee Daniels" inspired rage won't get results," another wrote.

Since posting, Lewis has gone viral, with nearly 10 million views and over 400,000 shares. Nearly 200 arrests and 150 fires have broken out following Freddie Gray's funeral on Monday, according to ABC News. President Obama spoke to the press on Tuesday, saying there was "no excuse" for the looting and arson that has consumed the city.